List of the kings of Aksum
The names of the kings of Aksum are known from various sources. Those that are documented before the end of the third century are mostly known from inscriptions that these rulers had put up. There may be large gaps in that part of the list. Coin minting begins with Endubis. It can be assumed that the list will be relatively complete from that point on, although gaps are to be expected here too. The rulers after 630 no longer minted coins. They are almost only known from later lists of rulers.
| king | Dating | comment |
|---|---|---|
| Zoskales | approx. 50 | appears in the Periplus Maris Erythraei |
| Gadarat | approx. 200 | waged war in southern Arabia |
| Azaba or Adhebah | approx. 230 | is mentioned in a South Arabic inscription along with his son Girma |
| Sembrouthes | about 250 | Known only from an inscription from Eritrea, first ruler with the title King of Kings |
| Datawna | approx. 260 | is mentioned in a South Arabian inscription along with his son Zaqarnas |
The following rulers are mostly known from their coinage.
| king | Dating | comment | coin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endubis | approx. 270-300 | first coinage in silver and gold, the legends are written in Greek |
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| Aphilas | approx. 310 |
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| Wazeba | approx. 320 | First coins with inscription in ancient Ethiopian |
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| Ousanas | approx. 325 |
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| Ezana | approx. 350 | first Christian king, led numerous campaigns |
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| Mehadeyis | approx. 360 |
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| Ouazebas | approx. 390 |
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| Eon | about 400 |
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| Ebana | about 450 |
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| Nezool | about 450 |
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| Ousas | about 500 |
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| Ella Asbeha (Caleb) | about 520 | conquered parts of southern Arabia, left various inscriptions and is mentioned by ancient historians |
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| Alla Amidas | about 550 | ||
| Wazena | about 550 |
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| Wa'zeb | about 550 |
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| Ioel | about 550 |
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| Hataz | approx. 575 |
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| Saifu | approx. 577 | ||
| Israel | approx. 590 |
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| Gersem | about 600 |
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| Armah | approx. 614 | possibly identical to Ashama ibn Abjar, who was important for Islamic history, died around 630 |
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Subsequent kings
The dates and order are uncertain; the coinage stopped.
| king | comment |
|---|---|
| Kwastantinos | or Constantine |
| Wasan Sagad | Bazagar? |
| Fere Shanay | or Fere Shernay |
| 'Adre'az | or 'Adre'azar |
| 'Akla Wedem | |
| Germa Safar | |
| Zergaz | or Gergaz |
| Degna Mikael | |
| Bahr Ikela | |
| Gum | |
| 'Asgwomgum | |
| Letem | |
| Talatem | |
| 'Oda Gosh | or 'Oda Sasa |
| 'Ayzur | ruled only half a day |
| Dedem | |
| Wededem | |
| Wedem 'Asfare | is said to have ruled for 150 years |
| 'Armah | |
| Degna Djan | or Ged'a Djan |
| 'Anbasa Wedem | Son of Degna Djan |
| Dil Na'od | Son of Degna Djan |
literature
- Wolfgang Hahn : The coinage of the Axumitic Empire (with catalog, metallurgical and theological appendix). In: Litterae Numismaticae Vindobonenses. Volume 2, 1983, pp. 113-180.
- Stuart Munro-Hay: Aksum. An African Civilization of Late Antiquity. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh 1991, ISBN 0-7486-0106-6 .
Remarks
- ^ Paul B. Henze: Layers of Time. A History of Ethiopia , Palgrave, New York 2000, p. 41.